: Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:58 pm  

Kosh wrote:

Pretty sure Byrne's position of choice in the NRL was Winger before he became more of a utility player.

How do you recommend a player returning from injury earns his place back?

Byrne played centre a fair bit too and covered FB.

A player returning from injury should play 21s to prove their fitness and also wait to capitalise on a slip up by the person playing that role in the first team if they are a natural too.

As per my previous example, Washy playing 6 meant that when R Horne was fit he came back in because Washy wasnt playing well and wasnt a 6.

Byrne playing 1 is playing well and is a 1, therefore Motu must get fit in 21s and wait for Byrne to lose the jersey.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:07 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Byrne played centre a fair bit too and covered FB.

A player returning from injury should play 21s to prove their fitness and also wait to capitalise on a slip up by the person playing that role in the first team if they are a natural too.

As per my previous example, Washy playing 6 meant that when R Horne was fit he came back in because Washy wasnt playing well and wasnt a 6.

Byrne playing 1 is playing well and is a 1, therefore Motu must get fit in 21s and wait for Byrne to lose the jersey.

I disagree. Byrne is a utility back. We base some our game play on getting a good kick return, something which Byrne does not offer, so Motu is a pivotal player in the team. Therefore unless he is playing poorly he should go straight back into the team.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:12 pm  

Robbo4 wrote:

I disagree as I dont think it was that impressive an all-round performance.

Lee Smith has been playing well for Leeds at FB but do you think if Brent Webb was fit next week he wouldn't be straight back in the team?

Motu IMO is a far better player and Byrne having a decent game on Friday doesn't change that. Until Motu suffers a lack of form the position is his IMO.

Spot on, either way I can't see Motu being fit for Celtic anyway.

[Kosh]

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:15 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Byrne played centre a fair bit too and covered FB.

A player returning from injury should play 21s to prove their fitness and also wait to capitalise on a slip up by the person playing that role in the first team if they are a natural too.

As per my previous example, Washy playing 6 meant that when R Horne was fit he came back in because Washy wasnt playing well and wasnt a 6.

Byrne playing 1 is playing well and is a 1, therefore Motu must get fit in 21s and wait for Byrne to lose the jersey.

The fitness thing is OK I guess, although nowadays getting fit in U21's is kinda pointless because of the huge fitness gap.

The 'wait for a slip up' idea is just plain silly unless you are comparing two identical individuals with identical strengths and weaknesses and identical levels of ability. Byrne and Tony are two different styles of player, so the choice has to be about what the coach wants the FB to do rather than who is making the fewest mistakes.

And Byrne is NOT a 1. He's a utility back who covers the backs and happens to play 1 well.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:16 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Spot on, either way I can't see Motu being fit for Celtic anyway.

Me neither but it passed the morning

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:19 pm  

Robbo4 wrote:

Me neither but it passed the morning

Either once he is fit Motu will get the FB spot back and if he plays well he will keep it, if he does not perform then Byrne will be straight back in.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:23 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

:lol:

Either once he is fit Motu will get the FB spot back and if he plays well he will keep it, if he does not perform then Byrne will be straight back in.

Motu not perform, how dare you!

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:24 pm  

fc baldy wrote:

So does Hall,Washbrook and to a extent Whiting...should they be all brought back in?

Not Whiting at the moment but I would have Washy and Hall straight in there on Saturday, along with Tony if he is fit.
We were terrible in attack on Friday, very, very boring to watch as a team also. I think this shows when you look at who our top performers were generally, which were forwards (Radford, Cusack and Dowes were the best 3 players on the park imo) who are good at going right up the middle all game long. We need more players with attacking skill on the pitch.
With regards to Byrne. Very good defensive performance but nothing in attack really. If Motu is fit I would put him back in. If we were struggling in defence, I wouldn't drop Byrne from the fullback spot. But as things are, we are very good in defence and need to substitute a few players to get our attacking side up to scratch

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:39 pm  

if what ive heard today is true, then this debate can be put on ice till April!!!!!

[Kosh]

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:42 pm  

Hutchie wrote:

if what ive heard today is true, then this debate can be put on ice till April!!!!!

I had a sneaking suspicion that all was not well, hence my comments about available choices.